FRAMSTICKS Artificial Life nice Software

Framsticks is a three-dimensional life simulation project. Both mechanical structures (“bodies”) and control systems (“brains”) of creatures are modeled. It is possible to design various kinds of experiments, including simple optimization (by evolutionary algorithms), coevolution, open-ended and spontaneous evolution, distinct gene pools and populations, diverse genotype/phenotype mappings, and species/ecosystems modeling.
http://www.frams.alife.pl/
Phantasie ist wichtiger als Wissen,denn Wissen ist begrenzt.Albert Einstein

I remember playing with the early software back in 2000=2001.

Back then, we had to be happy with line drawings of first to 10'th generation modelled 'life'.
Typically, you get a bunch of gimpy 3 legged useless things, and have your 'things' contribute to the shared gene pool through mathematically modelled 'migration'.